How to achieve a golden tan worthy of the pros this summer

Glow-getters, it’s time to dust off your flip-flops and get ready to slip into that swimming costume, because tanning season is officially here! With the summer holidays just a few weeks away, there’s no better time to start prepping your skin for a healthy, sun-kissed look.

If you love the confidence-boosting glow of a tan, but don’t want to risk damaging your skin in the sun, then a faux tan is the obvious answer. But, as easy as it is to get a glow from a bottle, there are some tips and tricks to perfecting your sunless tan to ensure a natural-looking result.

Here’s how to achieve the perfect, golden self-tan at home and The Beautiful Store’s picks for the best products to get you there:

Your weapon of choice

There are plenty of roads to a natural-looking sunless tan. The first trick to guaranteed success when faux tanning at home is to choose the best products for your skin. The type of tanning product you choose will ultimately come down to your needs, and individual skin concerns. Basically, if you feel beautiful and confident after using the product and your skin feels great, then you’ve found a winner!

The products you choose will greatly depend on the result you’re after. There’s no question that the best fake tan is one that looks natural. Besides the Oros man, orange isn’t a good look on anyone, so you want to make sure you choose a product that will give you a natural-looking, streak-free glow.

Mousses and lotions are arguably one of the most popular ways to fake tan and are great for both tanning newbies and even the most experienced tanners. They are easy to apply and generally guarantee a streak-free result.

You may even want to use different formulas for different body parts — like tanning drops for your face and a mousse everywhere else. If you’re looking to achieve a streak-free deep bronze tan with a professional finish, then Vani-T Velocity Noir - Uber Dark Express Self-Tan Mousse is a must-try. Plus, it’s packed with skin-loving ingredients (Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen) to keep your skin silky smooth and your tan looking flawless, so you can glow for days.

Newbies rejoice

If you’re new to tanning and want to test the waters, then say hello to gradual tanner.  This easy-to-use self-tan product is a great way to secure a sun-kissed glow with little effort and know-how. The product is great for busy babes and can be applied daily, like a normal lotion, to gradually build a natural glow. Plus, applying it daily will ensure your skin stays soft and moisturised too — killing two birds with one stone!

Gradual tanning lotions are basically a foolproof way to ensure a streak-free, natural-looking glow. For the easiest tanning solution, try Vani-T Bronzing Custard. The product is just as delicious as it sounds, and is all you need to rock 365 days of tanned gloriousness. Think of it as your daily dose of sunshine and hydration rolled into one convenient package you can take anywhere. If you want the “so natural it couldn’t possibly come from a bottle” look, then this is the product for you.

Face facts

We all know, one of the most difficult places to get a perfect tan is the face. For many glow getters, it’s the most daunting area to apply fake tanner, because, the stakes are high if you mess it up. Enter tanning drops — this genius product turns applying self-tan to your face into child’s play. It truly is the best way to get that natural glow on the face. Tanning drops enable you to turn any of your existing face care products into tanner. Even better, you can choose the level of your tan and adjust it to look as natural as possible.

Self-tan drops offer a smarter way to tailor your sun-free glow. Getting your beach getaway glow couldn’t be easier with Vani-T Glow+ Self Tan Drops. Just add a couple of drops to your favourite serum, moisturiser or foundation. These ingenious drops put you in total control: the more you drop, the more you glow! Even better, the product is ideal for those with visibly uneven skin tone. Once developed, the sun-kissed shade lasts for days, so you can ditch the makeup. Simply glow and go.

Get ready to tan

Now, that you’ve chosen the right tanning product for your needs, it’s time to get that glow. Achieving your tan goal is easier than you imagine. First things first, get your scrub on. Make sure you exfoliate and shave at least 24 hours before you plan on applying your fake tanner. This gives your skin time to settle and your pores a chance to close. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and even out the skin’s surface to help your tan last for longer!

Don’t leave this step up to fate, for best results, invest in an exfoliating mitt like the Vani-T Exfoliating Mitt for guaranteed smooth skin before you start. It will prove to be the most faithful companion in your fake tan routine! It is a must-have for all sunless tanners or those wanting beautiful, silky smooth skin. Ideal for both tan preparation and removal, each stroke gently removes sunless tan build-up, banishes dead skin cells, improves circulation and leaves skin silky-soft and ready for a fresh faux tan.

If you’re working with an already faded tan, then you also want to ensure you remove all existing faded tan before applying your new glow. Nothing can ruin the sun-kissed vibe quite like unwanted fake tan buildup or uneven application.

For a fast fix, reach for the revolutionary Vani-T Tan Eraser Mousse. In just 5 minutes, you’ll literally wipe off your old self-tan and prime your skin for your next flawless colour. This tan removal mousse features a blend of natural exfoliants, so you won’t just lose your old tan - your skin will gain brightness, softness and tone. The triple exfoliants ensure your scrubbing days are over, as they do all the hard work for you without irritating your skin. No more hiding out until the redness subsides.

Embrace those circular motions

Before applying your tanning product, make sure you grab an applicator mitt and save your hands the embarrassment of post-tanning stains. A good tanning mitt will also help you to achieve a streak-free, flawless application.

Many self-tan brands offer their own version of tanning mitts, but The Beautiful Store loves the Vani-T Bronzing Mitt. This must-have mitt is the key to achieving a totally even fake tan and maintaining your gorgeous glow. The double-sided lux microfibre mitt is velvety-soft and glides across your skin without dragging or streaking. It’s so luxe it’ll make every tanning session feel like a meditation session. Plus, it’s durable and washable, so you can use it again and again.

For the perfect tan, simply dispense the tanning product onto your tanning mitt and apply it to your body in small circular motions, starting with your legs. If you are using a product with a guide colour, you’ll be able to see if there are any areas you’ve missed. Areas like your knees, elbows and hands can be some of the trickiest to tan! To avoid streaks, bend your knees and elbows when applying and form a claw shape with your hands. You may feel a bit silly, but it’ll all be worth it when you become a glowing goddess!

Put your feet up

You may be done tanning, but the process is not over! Before getting dressed, make sure your tan is fully dry, so you don’t end up with a blotchy finish. Once you’re dressed, take it easy and put your feet up, whilst your tan develops — on average, it usually takes between 4-6 hours for a faux tan to develop, but if you’ve got things to do, waiting a few minutes for your tan to dry should be enough to ensure you don’t ruin your tan. Once you’ve reached your glow goals, simply wash away the guide colour, avoiding any soaps, shower gels or shampoo, and you’re good to go and strut your sun-kissed stuff in style!

Wear loose, dark clothing to avoid any transfer. But, don’t stress if you do get a bit of product on your clothes or bedding, as stains can be easily washed out. The great thing about using a product like Vani-T Velocity Express Self-Tan is that it’s quick-drying and fast-acting. Not only does the express development deliver colour in as little as 1 hour (light tan), but you can get dressed just a few minutes after applying.